It took a while for BYU football to resemble a team worthy of consideration of a coveted at-large spot in the college football playoff, but eventually kicked things in gear to take a 41-21 win over UCF on Saturday.

The Big 12 has started to campaign for BYU to make the College Football Playoff. If the season ended today, BYU would be the first team left out of the 12-team

The UCF Knights finished the 2025 season with a 5-7 record, including an 0-5 mark away from home. The final road loss came at BYU Saturday.

Believe it or not, the finale of the regular season is here for BYU Football. It will be Senior Day at LaVell Edwards Stadium on Saturday morning with the UCF Knights visiting Provo. BYU Football is an impressive 10-1 on the year with a 7-1 conference record.

Bear Bachmeier threw for 289 yards and a touchdown to help No. 11 BYU beat UCF 41-21. LJ Martin added 95 yards and three touchdowns on the ground for the Cougars (11-1, 8-1 Big 12, No. 11 CFP), who clinched a spot in the Big 12 championship game next Saturday.

The BYU Cougars (10-1) and No. 11 in the College Football Playoff rankings have a direct path to the Big 12 Conference championship game: Beat the visiting UCF Knights (5-6) on Saturday morning in Provo.

BYU remained at 11 in the College Football Playoff rankings released Tuesday. BYU is one of five Big 12 teams ranked along with Texas Tech (5), Utah (13), Arizona State (20) and Arizona (25). Arizona’s ranking is notable since that gives BYU another ranked

Last December in the early days of the 2026 high school football recruiting cycle, the BYU football program received a commitment from Lehi star edge rusher Penisimani “PJ” Takitaki, the nephew of former Cougar star and current Minnesota Viking Sione Takitaki.

BYU took a playful jab at Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian on Saturday night following a 41-21 win over UCF that clinched an 11-1 regular season and a trip to the Big 12 Championship game.